Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ANTHONY M. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Designates U.S. Route 46 bridge in the Town of Dover as "Officer Thomas E. DeShazo Memorial Bridge."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the U.S. Route 46 bridge in the Town of Dover as "Officer Thomas E. DeShazo Memorial Bridge."
Whereas, On May 22, 1930, Officer Thomas E. DeShazo was providing a motorcycle escort to a member of famous New Jersey resident Charles Lindbergh's family when his vehicle overturned, which inflicted serious injury upon him and led to his death two days later; and
Whereas, An eight year veteran of the Dover Police Department who proudly wore Badge Number One, Officer DeShazo was the first Dover police officer killed in the line of duty; and
Whereas, Officer DeShazo, affectionately known as "Tommy," was a beloved and respected member of the Dover community, and was fearless, friendly, and courteous at all times; and
Whereas, Hundreds of Dover residents lined Blackwell and Sussex Streets to pay their last respects to fallen Officer DeShazo, and Dover merchants suspended business during his funeral; and
Whereas, The Dover Police Department retired Badge Number One in honor of their fallen brother; and
Whereas, The descendants of fallen Officer DeShazo and the Dover community wish to honor and memorialize Officer DeShazo's great sacrifice; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and in the public interest, for the State of New Jersey to honor Officer Thomas E. DeShazo, the first Dover police officer killed in the line of duty, by designating the U.S. Route 46 bridge in the Town of Dover as the "Officer Thomas E. DeShazo Memorial Bridge;" now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the U.S. Route 46 bridge crossing the Rockaway River in the Town of Dover in the county of Morris as "Officer Thomas E. DeShazo Memorial Bridge," and erect a plaque bearing this dedication and designation.
2. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to erect appropriate route and directional signs bearing this name.
3. No State or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with such private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational or charitable entities or institutions. No work shall proceed, and no funding shall be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting and maintaining the signs.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the U.S. Route 46 bridge in the Town of Dover as "Officer Thomas E. DeShazo Memorial Bridge." On May 20, 1930, Officer DeShazo was providing a motorcycle escort to a member of Charles Lindbergh's family when his motorcycle overturned. Officer DeShazo sustained severe injuries, to which he succumbed two days later. Officer DeShazo was the first Dover police officer killed in the line of duty.
Officer DeShazo was a beloved and active member of the Dover community. His descendants and the citizens of Dover wish to honor Officer DeShazo and his sacrifice with this designation.
This bill provides that no State funds shall be used in the designation of the "Officer Thomas E. DeShazo Memorial Bridge."